Anyone know about voluntary regulation with the Aromatherapy Council

[darpan]

Have just seen a feature in 'Today's Therapist' about the new self regulation coming up in December. Have had a quick squizz at [link=http://www.aromatherapycouncil.co.uk]www.aromatherapycouncil.co.uk[/link] and the joining criteria seems quite high level and I can't see whether or not my recently aquired VTCT Level 3 Aromatherapy Massage is sufficient. If your APL is not sufficient they state that you are able to submit a revised portfolio to meet their requirements at a cost of £150!

Can anyone enlighten me on this please?[]

 

[Carmen R (Now a Koala)]

Hi calmer

The main role of self-regulation is public safety which will lead to greater credibility being attributed to the profession.

As for your qualification you need to check that it meets the National Occupational Standards as well as the core curriculum which is published on the council's website (just compare your syllubus to the requirements).

If your qualifications are below the required standards (and I am not saying they are) or if your association's criteria for full membership is not NOS and it does not have a CPD (continued profession development) policy, then you will be refered to one of the Council's national centres to have your portfolio of evidence assessed and yes there is a charge for this of £150.

The fee paid will include the centreconfirming your competence and currency and this will be by looking at the training you have undertaken and the work you have done since qualifying and if necessary they will identify where the gaps are in your experience. They will then help you to do the necessary upgrades (point you in the right direction) and set a plan of action for you including the type of evidence required. You then have 2 years to complete the required upgrades (during this time you will be in contact with the centre who will continue to support you until the work required is completed). So your £150 is not that much considering the work that could be involved for the centre and it is a one off fee.

Whilst you are being assessed you will be placed on a provisional register.

I know it all seems a lot of fuss but this is being put in place to protect the general public from aromatherapistswho are inadequately qualified to practice at the agreed national level of competence. I believe that this will lend credence to the profession and by being regulated it will give other healthcare professions the confidence to refer patients/clients.

Please remember though that this is voluntary regulation not statutory (yet) and it is your choice whether youjoin the AC or not. There is shortly going to be a public relations campaign launched to inform the public and NHS about this process and apparently the AC will also be lobbying private healthcare companies as well. I feel that having AC after your name could open doors re employment against you not having it (as it will say that you have met the national requirements) but this is my opinion only.

If you need any further help pleasecontact me.

Hope this clears things up for you

Love and light

 

[arrerlyUnlili]

Hi calmer

Just had a look at the VTCT site and it seems that you will need to have done the level 3 diploma in additional aromatherapy techniques (D1032) to meet all the NOS requirements but without knowing what you did on your course I can't advise further. Below is pasted from the VTCTsite:

Level 3 Diploma in Additional Aromatherapy Techniques (D1032)
The Diploma is mapped against the National Occupational Standards for Aromatherapy and provides the highest level of attainment for a National qualification in this sector. It allows health professionals to obtain exemptions from mandatory sections in anatomy and physiology and knowledge of clinical practice. So, it is suitable for use by the widest range of candidates. This is progression from the VTCT Level 3 Certificate in Aromatherapy Massage and requires a knowledge of at least 40 essential oils. (Supported by Skills for Health, the Standards Setting Organisation for health related skills and their Lead Body advisers)

Love and light

 

[Mr. NYC has a hangover]

Thanks for the information, Essence, but now I'm even more worried. You rightly say that this will protect the public from aromatherapists who are inadequately qualified, but I've just spent a year working my butt off for a qualification which I believed would adequately qualify me to practise. The VTCT Level 3 Certificate is described as a 'practitioner' level qualification!

As for the Diploma course you mention, I have googled it and cannot find any providers for it anywhere let alone in my area.

I am just starting out with my business and the costs just keep on mounting up.I've already paid for the VTCT Level 3 Certificate course, I'm already paying for professional membership to IPTI, insurance and membership of the UK Reiki Federation. I'm half way through a Reflexology course with the IIR, which is costing me over£1000 andincludes very intensive A & P study,and will be paying for membership with them next year. The AC are asking for £150 to upgrade a portfolio and £60 per year for membership.

I wonder how many more letters after my name and badges I'll have to wear toretain 'credence'in this business the way things are going. And I'll probably end up doing more CPD than actual practice if I'm doing it for Aromatherapy, Reiki, IHM, Reflexology and Ear Candling too!

It may well open doors if you have AC after your name, but willI be perceived as 'unqualified' if I don't choose to take up this 'voluntary' self regulation?

I'mdue to collect my Certificate at an awards evening at the college this coming Friday and instead of feeling proud of my achievement, Ifeel cheated and that it is just a worthless piece of paper.[sm=cry.gif]

 

[Coastal Doc]

oh calmer,
please don't feel its a worthless bit of paper , you have achieved a lot and should be proud
I fully understand your frustration, my quals wouldn't meet these standards either but for now this is voluntary self regulation so I have deiced not to worry and just keep practising until it becomes illegal not to be registered if ever it does.
You have lots of other therapies you are using so aromatheraphy is only part of who you are as a therapist albeit an important part
I understnd why these regualtions are being mooted but I have never had a client ask if I am qualified or insured
If the regulation is enforced and I am not in a postion to upgrade at the time then I will use ready made blends and offer aroma massage

please for now enjoy your success, go to your graduation and have a really good time celebrating your success

 

[Ate Bit Tyson]

Hi calmer

I am sorry if I have made you feel this way it certainly wasn't my intention I was only trying to clarify the situation for you. You have worked hard for your qualification and should be proud of what you have achieved so please don't feel cheated or that your qualification is worthless it is not. Look at it as a start to a wonderful journey and enjoy the view!!

Please, please remember that it is only voluntary but also plan for the future and write down any interesting case studies that you do as well as reflective practice on almost everything else as this will count towards evidence should you change your mind in the future.

The AC have produced an email booklet on reflective practice and what can be used for CPD and I suggest you download it and follow their guidelines. CPD is the key word now for most qualifications but it doesn't have to cost the earth and there are lots of different ways to achieve it such as: Talks, field trips, research (essential oil, diseases etc.), attending regional groups or even watching a relevant video and writting a reflective essay on the effects of it on your practice, the list goes on. Its not all about attending expensive courses.

Once again please accept my apologies for anypain caused and please pm me if you need any help at all.

Love and light

 

[Happy mommy]

Hi, I just had a quick look at the aromatherapy trade council website and they list VTCT as a trainer as well as ITEC (my qualification), so we might be okay. Have you checked?

 

[Davicaulke]

Yep, it appears that they only recognise VTCT Diploma, I've got the Certificate. Don't know about ITEC though. I'm ringing them tomorrow to clarify things as I've been worried sick about this all weekend. My VTCT Level 3 Certificate is classed as a 'Practitioner level qualification'. The FHT and numerous other bodies recognise my qualification to practise and I'm insured to practise, yet if Essence is right, in the replies above, the AC would deem me as unqualified.[]

 

[Wendi888]

Two phone calls later and I've got some info:

Rang a lovely lady at the AC, explained my circumstances, ie qualified with VTCT Certificate this year. She says that they have recently been in contact with VTCT and VTCT are putting together a bridging unit which will bring newly qualified certificate holders up to the required diploma level after which it will be possible to register immediately. She reckons it will be inexpensive - less than £20 and advised me to ring my college to find out more. She says the VTCT Certificate will become obsolete next year and the higher level diploma course will replace it.

I've rang my college and they don't know anything about the VTCT bridging course, but have vowed to get back in touch with me when they find out more.

Is it just me, or is there a communication issue here. With something so important, which could have a bearing on therapists livelihoods and the VTCT have only just started planning bridging units when the 'voluntary' registration process starts now ready for launch in the new year. Why on earth didn't they make sure students were qualified to the correct level a lot sooner in time for the new NOS requirements?

All my local colleges are still running the certicicate course which is stilllisted as a PRACTITIONER level qualification, I wonder how many students know that they will not be deemed as qualified by the Aromatherapy Council at the end of their course.

Yes, this is only a voluntary registration, but the PR campaign is going toinform the NHS and wider public to only use AC registered therapists to be assured of qualification and insurance. If a potential client rings me and asks me if I'm AC registered, what do I say, no sorry, I thought I was qualified, I'm a member of a Professional Body, I have insurance, but apparently I'm not qualified enough?![sm=banghead.gif]

 

[Sandy]

Even more confused now!! Have just spoken to my ex-tutor and she says this current academic year, my qualification C1079 has been renamed D1079 - a diploma - and the syllabus is no different in content to the one we followed..............[sm=speechless-smiley-008.gif] She is going to have a look at the AC website for me and do some research into it herself.

 

[sally p]

Just been looking at the AC website. It may just be me being thick, because I can't see it, but does it list anywhere the acceptable qualifications?

 

[Raz]

Supersub, you're not being thick, the information is VERY difficult to find. Check out this link for the NOS
and AC CoreCurriculum. .[link=http://www.aromatherapycouncil.co.uk/index_files/Page911.htm]http://www.aromatherapycouncil.co.uk/index_files/Page911.htm[/link]and a list of recognised providers. Give yourself a few hours to plough through though, the pdf's are very wordy.

When I saw the core curriculum I realised that there were elements on there such as business studies, accounting and marketing which we had not covered on our course.

However, as I already hold an HNC in Business and Finance, the phrase involving Grandma and sucking eggs springs to mind![sm=scratchchin.gif]

Essence managed to find out that a Level 3 Diploma is acceptable but I can't actually find that anywhere on their site. I think its just a matter of trying to register only to be told that your quals are not sufficient![]

 

[FLVStrickster]

Hi calmer

The only reason I thought that the advanced diploma I mentioned met the criteria was that it stated that it met the NOS and that is the guideline for the AC. The standards have been in place for several years now and recently revised this really is a problem from the vctc and not the AC (as you quite rightly pointed out).

As to the business studies bit I am sure that you will APEL'ed on this as you quite rightly state you already have that qualification.

I really do sympathise with you on this issue and am annoyed that some colleges are still trying to sell their courses knowing that they don't meet the AC requirements but know that at least the vctc is trying to address this it just hasn't got down the the teaching level yet.

Once again if I can be of any help to you please don't hesitate to ask and I have pm'ed you so that you understand my position on this.

Hope all goes well

love and light

 

[Ant]

[]Dear all,
I am worried also as I qualified and graduated from truro college gaining HNC Complimentory therapies, doing A & P
Indian head massage, Swedish body massage, Psycology,
Chemistry, Reflexology Aromatherapy Reiki 11, also VTCT certificate level 3 aromatherapy massage, VTCT Reflexology Cert level 3, I am a newbie to healthy pages and this is my 1st post love reading what eveeryone is up to
Im confused as to which professional body to join
Can any one he;p please?

Love and light Katy x

 

[Camona]

Thanks for that, calmer. I did look at all that but couldn't find a list of acceptable qualifications - but maybe I rushed through the pdf too quickly?!

 

[Oldrinxa]

i'm just scanning through the NOS and AC pdf... what absolute ridiculous nonsense! the whole regs thing is doing my head in anyway... the fact that no one seems to know enough about any of them for the therapist (read layman) to understand and get to grips with... argh![/align][/align]i fail to see why aromatherapy cannot be taught as a "CPD" if one already holds a massage diploma/ equivalent qualification.[/align][/align]tell me... does " knowledge of basic botany including plant taxonomy, nomenclature, secondary plant metabolism including environmental factors and how they relate to the quality, production and use of essences and carrier oils."[/align][/align]and " knowledge of basic chemistry and the chemistry of essences, including biosynthesis and adulteration"[/align][/align]and "To introduce students to the range of essences as listed in the NOS, the plant families and Latin names of each essence"[/align][/align]make anyone a better therapist? i am convinced that no aromatherapist can make a blend up for anyone, say presenting with 3 or more things, without consulting their "mix up a blend" book. [/align][/align]knowing how the oil got in the bottle and what its latin names is... does that help? i dont think so ![/align][/align]and why do they insist (the AC) that a minimum of 12 months is spent on such a course? why will that make for best practise and ensure best therapists to their standards?[/align][/align][/align]

 

[Jen jen]

This struck me as odd as well rosie, ascollege courses are based on an academic year (36 weeks)[sm=confused-smiley-012.gif]

Calmer

 

[rickrudge]

HEAR HEAR Rosie

it does my head in as well

 

[amashrtd]

Hi rosie

I am so dissapointed to hear you say that. I have been practicing for 14 years and rarely look at a "mix and blend book" and blend purely for what is presented to me. It is important to know the latin names of the plant being used as there are so many different ones out there and they have different chemical constituents and therefore different actions ( there are 6 lavenders for example each with their own very different properties, interestingly only one is sedative). As to how and where they are grown this too is important as it will affect the nature of the oil, even down to when the plant material is harvested(i.e. jasmine flowers produce a better oil if pickedafter dusk as this is when the oil is at its highest concentration), much the same as growing conditions with wine, some years are better than others.

Does this knowledge make me a better therapist? I believe that it does, I love essential oils and have hada real passion for what they can do and I am always amazed by their healing properties. I feel that my course all those years ago was only the beginning of the journey and have continued along its path ever since, that initial yearwas really only the tip of the iceburg and there has been so much more out there for me to learn and to continue to learn.

As for adding aromatherapy as CPD to a massage qualification why only massage? Dr Peneol thinks quite rightly that reflexology and aromatherapy should go hand in hand and also massage is only one way to administer essential oils there are so many other ways clinically or otherwise. It should be a diploma or degree with continuous CPD for the rest of the aromatherapist's career.

With regulation it is a matter of choice (it is still voluntary) but as I have already said these national occupational standards have been in place for several years now so they shouldn't be a suprise for any training organisation. Unfortunately quite a few have chosen to ignore them and the graduates are now realising that all their hard work doesn't quite meet up with national requirements. It is not the AC saying that you are not good enough but schools giving inadequate training on a vast and sometimes complicated subject. Surely instead of being upset with the AC people should be contacting their training establisments and asking why their course/courses didn't meet the NOS especially those who have studied in the last 4 years.

[sm=soapbox.gif]

calmer

the reason that they recommend the course be 12 months is that there are 60 case studies to do and these can be continued once the academic year has finished.

Love and light

 

[Harrisken]

Hi everyone

I am here to help and please ring the AC office for help if you are worried or need assistance. As the Registrar for the Aromatherapy Council, I can tell you why there is not a "list" as this in itself would not be all encompassing. We look at each person as an individual to see not only what their original qualification was, but also what they have been doing since qualifying. This is what we refer to as "currency". You may have qualified 10 years ago before the National Occupational Standards were even written, but there are many ways of proving currency and through further studies and clinical practise, have brought yourself up to the current national standards. Sometimes this can be evidenced because you have been a member of a professional association that checks its own membership criteria at the same level as the AC, or you may have done a separate bridging course. If you cannot demonstrate your currency and competency that way then the AC has set up regional assessing centres. These will assess your portfolio and help you to identify any gaps in your knowledge and assist you to fill in these gaps. There is a one off charge for this and bearing in mind it takes 4-5 hours to go through a portfolio and then you may need a couple of interviews, the £150 charge with a qualified assessor is quite reasonable.

As well as joining professional associations and being checked by them, the VTCT have developed a bridging course for certificate holders to obtain the diploma. The VTCT advanced diploma was benchmarked to the NOS, so that one is fine. ITEC level 3 is also benchmarked to the NOS asare all the schools accredited by the associations listed on the education page at the bottom of the AC website.

Everyone is welcome to apply to join and if we cannot register you immediately we will try and give you options after placing you on the provisional register. We will not take the registration fee from you until after you can go onto the main register. The main register is open to the public, NHS and all healthcare professionals who can use the register for quality assurance.

Regulation exists primarily for public protection, but the positive benefits for aromatherapists and the aromatherapy profession are very obvious and have been well highlighted by other posts in this thread. I hope this has inspired you all to register and I urge you to read the press release on the news page of the AC website at:

[link=http://www.aromatherapycouncil.co.uk]www.aromatherapycouncil.co.uk[/link]

to see why it is so important that you register. You can downlaod the application form from the website, or call me onthe telephone number which is given on the Contact Us page,to have one sent out in the post.


EDITED to remove telephone number from post.